NAPHL, POE alum Benson signs with NHL's Oilers

By admin, 01/11/17, 11:45AM PST

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From NAPHL news

The Edmonton Oilers have signed forward and NAPHL alum Tyler Benson to a three-year entry level contract.

Photo from NAPHL website

Benson, 18, has appeared in 31 games with the Western Hockey League's (WHL) Vancouver Giants this season, registering 40 points (10G, 30A) and 27 penalty minutes. In his second season as team captain, he leads the Giants in points (40) and assists (30), as well as power play goals (4) and power play assists (10).

The 6'0", 190-pound, centre has accumulated 113 points (33G, 80A) and 128 penalty minutes in 130 career WHL games in three seasons with Vancouver. Benson was named the Giants Rookie of the Year in 2014-15.

Benson played for the Pursuit of Excellence 18U team in the NAPHL as a 15-year-old during the 2013-14 season. He was named to the All-NAPHL 18U 1st Team that season, scoring 40 points in 21 regular season games. He also added seven points in four playoff games.

The Edmonton, Alberta native has represented his country twice internationally, most recently at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Under-18 tournament, capturing gold. He also represented Canada at the 2015 Under-18 World Hockey Championship as a 16-year old, capturing bronze.

Tyler Benson was selected by the Oilers in the 2nd round, 32nd overall in the 2016 NHL Draft.